Stainless Steel Drinkware

ABSTRACT

A vessel comprising a first and second stainless steel component forming a stainless steel drinkware having an interior and an exterior. A first design layer carried by a portion of the exterior leaving a portion of exposed stainless steel exterior forming a stainless steel band around the exterior of said stainless steel drinkware; and a clear coat powder coat comprising a silver based antimicrobial agent carried by the entire exterior of the stainless steel drinkware providing a protective layer for the first design layer and the stainless steel band.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/012888 filed Apr. 20, 2020 entitled Stainless-Steel Drinkware and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to stainless-steel drinkware and food containers and more particular to a variety of embodiments wherein the stainless-steel drinkware and food containers incorporate a clear coating for protecting the underlying color and design work associated with the drinkware and wherein the clear coating incorporates an antimicrobial component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumers utilize a variety of drinkware and food containers in their everyday lives. At home, ceramic cups are utilized, but typically not used outside of the home due to the risk of breaking. Plastic tumblers have been developed for use in the outdoors, however, while suitable for their intended purposes, plastics have been known to leak or leach Bisphenol A (BPA) which mimics estrogen and which have shown to produce negative side effects in certain individuals. Certain studies have shown that side effects of BPA include cancer, infertility and fetal development, impact on brain function, heart disease and diabetes and weight problems. Unfortunately, studies have also shown that exposure to the sun in the outdoors increases the amount of BPA leached.

An alternative to plastic tumblers is the development of insulated stainless-steel drinkware such as those identified on the website www.puredrinkware.com. The respective insulated stainless-steel drinkware tumblers may be comprised of a three layer construction consisting of an outer stainless-steel layer, an internal stainless-steel layer with both stainless-steel layers encircling an interior copper layer. This construction provides many benefits over the plastic prior art in that it does not leach BPA's and maintains the respective temperature of the contained beverage.

The beverage and food containers come into regular contact with the human body including hands, face and mouth. This permits the interchange of microbes and the like from a person or surrounding area to the container and likewise from the container to the person. Additionally, the surface of the container may provide for an area which enables the microbes to grow and possibly spread. The current covid-19 pandemic evidences the need for preventing such an environment to exist and provide for a safer drinking and eating environment.

Additionally, drinking and eating containers may be decorated with colors, sayings or other indicia which provides the drinking and eating container with personality. Accordingly, there is a need to provide for a safe drinking or eating container which may contain a design which also protects the consumer from the environment.

Furthermore, these drinking and eating containers are often exposed to rigorous environments which occur in everyday usage of such items, accordingly, there is need to provide for a safe drinking and eating container which also provides a protective layer enabling the decorative design or layer to be protected. However, while the stainless-steel constriction has many benefits, protection of the stainless-steel exterior is beneficial to protect the designs and artwork associated with the respective tumblers.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved stainless-steel vessel construction which protects designs from the rigorous and harmful environments they are utilized in.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vessel comprising a first and second stainless steel component forming a stainless steel drinkware having an interior and an exterior. A first design layer carried by a portion of the exterior leaving a portion of exposed stainless steel exterior forming a stainless steel band around the exterior of said stainless steel drinkware; and a clear coat powder coat comprising a silver based antimicrobial agent carried by the entire exterior of the stainless steel drinkware providing a protective layer for the first design layer and the stainless steel band.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood by one skilled in the art with reference being had to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like elements are designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel for receiving an antimicrobial coating according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel coated with an antimicrobial coating according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel for receiving an antimicrobial coating according to the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a stainless-steel vessel with an anti-microbial coating;

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a stainless-steel vessel with an anti-microbial coating according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel for receiving an antimicrobial coating according to the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a stainless-steel vessel with an anti-microbial coating;

FIG. 8 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel incorporating an anti-slip bottom infused with an anti-microbial agent;

FIG. 9 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel incorporating an anti-slip bottom infused with an anti-microbial agent and a lid infused with an antimicrobial agent.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of manufacturing a stainless-steel drinkware having a clear coat which is a powder coat applied to a stainless-steel drinkware having a preliminary design layer protecting the drinkware.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates the incorporation of a clear coat powder coating which is applied to a stainless-steel substrate and which includes an antimicrobial component. In the preferred embodiment the stainless-steel substrate is a vessel having an interior. Preferably the substrate is drinkware. Additionally, preferably the clear coat powder coating incorporates the antimicrobial component with an element identified safe for food contact pursuant to 21 Code of Federal Regulations of the United States or approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States.

It is an important feature of the invention that the clear coat incorporating the antimicrobial component is in a powder coating format which provides significant durability when incorporated specifically with the stainless-steel substrate of the vessel. Such feature incorporates the antimicrobial protection in a manner with strong integration properties with the vessel maintaining the benefit of the antimicrobial components throughout the intended utilization of the vessel which may embody utilization outdoors while camping, hiking, at the beach, or daily outside activities. The stainless-steel vessel incorporates a strong body conducive to such strenuous exposure to the environment and the clear coat powder coating by being incorporated onto the stainless-steel body utilizing powder coating technology ensures that the vessel is protected from damage while also maintaining the benefits of the antimicrobial. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment when the clear coat is utilized in situations which apply to food contact usages, utilizing a component which has been identified as safe for food contact pursuant to the US Government ensures that the vessel is safe for utilization with human consumption.

In the preferred embodiment, the clear coat powder coat consists of the following formulation:

Material Supplier Part Description Number Supplier Weight Epoxy Resin KD-214C Kukdo  70% - 80% Epoxy Cresol Araldite Huntsman   3% - 7% Novolac Resin ECN 1299 Phenolic Curing DEH 84 Olin   5% - 15% Agent Phenolic Curing DEH 85 Olin   5% - 15% Agent Flow Agent Resiflow Estron 0.5% - 1.5% P-65F Chemical Anti- Microbial B85003 Biocote 0.1% - 0.5% Additive

The Epoxy resin is approved by the FDA for food contact. Examples of other FDA approved components include the following:

Acrylic and modified acrylic plastics, semirigid and rigid.

Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene co-polymer.

Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene/methyl methacrylate copolymer.

Acrylonitrile/styrene copoly-mer.

Acrylonitrile/styrene copoly-mer modified with butadiene/styrene elastomer.

n-Alkylglutarimide/acrylic copolymers.

Cellophane.

Closures with sealing gaskets for food containers.

Cross-linked polyacrylate copolymers.

1,4-Cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate and 1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene isophthalate copolymer.

Ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers.

Ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymers.

Ethylene-1, 4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate copolymers.

Ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers.

Ionomeric resins.

Ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer resins.

Ethylene/1,3-phenylene oxyethylene isophthalate/terephthalate copolymer.

Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers.

Ethylene-vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymers.

Fluorocarbon resins.

Laminate structures for use at temperatures of 250 deg. F and above.

Laminate structures for use at temperatures between 120 deg. F and 250 deg. F.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose film, water-insoluble.

Isobutylene polymers.

Isobutylene-butene copolymers.

4,4′-Isopropylidenediphenol-epichlorohydrin resins minimum molecular weight 10,000.

Melamine-formaldehyde resins in molded articles.

Nitrile rubber modified acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymers.

Nylon resins.

Olefin polymers.

Perfluorocarbon resins.

Polyarylate resins.

Polyaryletherketone resins.

Polyarylsulfone resins.

Poly-1-butene resins and butene/ethylene copolymers.

Polycarbonate resins.

Polyestercarbonate resins.

Polyester elastomers.

In the preferred embodiment, the antimicrobial clear coat includes a silver component for regulating the antimicrobials. In particular, the antimicrobial agent may be IONPURE IPL which has EPA Registration number 73148-3 or a similar antimicrobial agent sold by Biocote. Additionally, the BioCote antimicrobial which utilizes a silver component is sold by Akzo Nobel under the trade name Interpon AM. The respective Product Data Sheet for Akzo Nobel's Interpon AM is attached to this application as Appendix A and is incorporated by reference. Interpon AM in conjunction with BioCote Ltd® has been tested for antimicrobial efficacy in accordance with ISO 22196:2011 and exhibited a minimum of 95% and up to 99.99% reduction in the population of Escheria Coli and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Testing was carried out by an independent laboratory and is classified as ‘microbiological results satisfactory’.

BioCote silver ion technology has been proven effective against the following bacteria in Laboratory conditions:

Multi Drug Resistant Bacteria Bacteria ESBL Erischeria coli Acinetobacter baumanii CRE Klebsiella pneumonia Bacillus subtilis MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Campylobacter coli VRE Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus Campylobacter jejuni Clostridium difficile (excluding Escherichia coli O157 sporeform) Enterbacter aerogenes Enterococcus faecalis. Legionella pneumophila Listeria monocytogenes Pseudomonas auruginosa Salmonella enteritidis Salmonella typhimurium Shigella spp. Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus epidermidis Streptococcus faecalis The incorporation of the clear coat powder coating may be conducted in multiple embodiments of various vessels. Each embodiment will hereinafter be described.

FIG. 1 identifies a stainless-steel vessel which is a tumbler A. Tumbler A includes at least an inner stainless-steel wall 10 forming an interior 12 for storing a liquid and a separate outer stainless-steel wall 14 forming an exterior wall. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the outer stainless-steel wall 14 is a substrate for the placement of a design 16. An opening 18 is formed by the inner and outer stainless- steel walls which communicates with interior 12. A bottom 20 seals the vessel.

As shown in FIG. 2, the clear-coat antimicrobial powder coating is applied along the entire exterior surface as represented by dots and covers the design 16. Additionally, in an additional embodiment, the clear coat antimicrobial powder coating is also applied along the entire interior surface.

FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the stainless-steel vessel B includes outer stainless steel wall 14. As shown by the hash marks, a design 23 incorporating the color green is present along most of the body of stainless-steel vessel B. However, a stainless-steel region 28 remains uncovered by the color. In this embodiment the stainless-steel region incorporates a region extending from the upper rim 26 of the vessel to a bottom demarcation 24 which is preferably no farther than two inches from the upper rim 26. A primary reason for leaving this area uncovered and presenting the stainless steel body is that such area is the area which engages a user's mouth and teeth and is susceptible to chipping.

As shown in FIG. 4, the clear coat powder coating with the silver based antimicrobial component encapsulates the entire body of the stainless steel vessel including the stainless-steel region 28. In this manner, the entire design 23 is protected by the clear coat powder coating portion 30 which includes an antimicrobial component as well as the non-design portion 28 which is protected by the clear coat powder coating portion 32 which includes an antimicrobial component which provides for entire protection along the entire body of the vessel while also providing an area which will be devoid of chipping thereby maintaining the antimicrobial properties of the coating in the region which comes in direct contact with the person while drinking from the vessel. This construction ensures maximum protection to the user while the vessel is utilized in areas wherein the vessel may incur abuse such as by dropping or hitting another item which may occur during camping and the like.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment similar to the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The stainless-steel vessel C includes outer stainless steel wall 14. As shown by the hash marks, a design 32 incorporating the color green is present along most of the body of stainless-steel vessel C. However, a stainless-steel region 40 remains uncovered by the color. In this embodiment the stainless-steel region 40 incorporates a region extending from the bottom rim 38 of the vessel to an upper demarcation 36 which is preferably no farther than two inches from the bottom rim 38. A primary reason for leaving this area uncovered and presenting the stainless steel body is that such area is the area which may be pounded onto the surface in the case wherein the stainless steel vessel is a baby bottle or sippy cup and is susceptible to chipping. As shown in FIG. 5, the clear coat powder coating with the silver based antimicrobial component encapsulates the entire body of the stainless steel vessel including the stainless-steel region 40. In this manner, the entire design 32 is protected by the clear coat powder coating portion 34 which includes an antimicrobial component as well as the non-design portion 40 which is protected by the clear coat powder coating portion 42 which includes an antimicrobial component which provides for entire protection along the entire body of the vessel while also providing an area which will be devoid of chipping. This construction ensures maximum protection to the user while the vessel is utilized in areas wherein the vessel may incur abuse such as by pounding by a baby or toddler.

For FIGS. 3 to 5, the design or color is preferably a powder coat with a paint attribute for coloring the stainless-steel exterior. Generally, the powder coat paint color may be applied utilizing an electric charge or sprayed utilizing an ionized air stream. Once the powder coat is applied, the entire tumbler is baked for a certain period of time. In additional configurations, the design or color may be paint. As discussed, an improvement in the above includes applying a second coat to the color powder coat and/or design or paint to facilitate in maintaining the integrity of the color powder coat and/or design or paint. The second coat is a powder coat which is a clear coat. The clear coat layer may be applied using a dipping method, spraying method, or electrostatic application. Once the clear coat layer is applied, the drinking vessel will undergo a second baking environment to cure the clear coat.

FIG. 6 provides an additional embodiment which utilizes the principles of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-5 wherein a stainless-steel region 54 is left free of any design but a design such as an image or saying or is carried by the stainless-steel outer wall. As shown in FIG. 6, design 50 is positioned onto the outer wall of stainless-steel vessel D. The design may be positioned utilizing any one of the following techniques:

1. Water Paper Transfer—Utilized for a multicolor wrinkle free “360 degree” design that is opaque and disallows the underlying stainless steel from being visible.

2. Water Decal Transfer—Utilized for a multicolor wrinkle free single sided, double sided or 360 degree design that is segmented or non-continuous and allows for visibility of the underlying stainless steel, painted or powder coated external surface.

3. Sublimation (AKA Heat Transfer)—Utilized for a multicolor, opaque design application. This method requires a white surface, polycoated which allows artwork to be heat transferred into the polycoated surface via wrapping paper with specialized ink and a baking process that “burns” the image on the heat transfer paper into the polycoat. This process is inexpensive and always wrinkled on conical and other drinkware shapes that vertical curves. This artwork application is not dishwasher safe due to fading of artwork after dishwashing.

4. Laser Engraved—A laser removes existing powder coat or painted coat in order to reveal underlying stainless steel. When this design application technique is utilized on a painted vessel the vessel is rendered NOT dishwasher safe due to chipping that occurs at the engraved sight over time due to use.

5. Pad Printing—Usually Single sided or double sided print that has a maximum allowance of 3 to 4 colors. Limited colors due to needing to align the printing “stamp” for each particular color in a design. This is accomplished using an indirect offset printing process that involves an image being transferred from the cliché via a silicone pad onto a substrate.

6. Silk Screen—Usually single sided or double sided screen print that typically has a maximum allowance of 1 to 2 colors. Limited colors due to needing to align and “roll” each particular color in a design. Screen prmting is a printing technique where a mesh is used to transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil. The ink is then baked at a certain temperature in order to adhere the ink to the surface.

7. 3D Printing—Utilized for a multicolor wrinkle free single sided, double sided or 360 degree design that is opaque continuous, segmented or non-continuous and can either allow for visibility of the underlying stainless steel, painted or powder coated external surface or not in the case of a continuous opaque print. This additive process allows for a design to be created by laying down successive layers of ink until the design is created.

Each design is generally then baked to maintain the design onto the tumbler. Prior to the baking, a powder coat with a paint attribute 52 for coloring the stainless-steel exterior may be applied. Generally, the powder coat may be applied utilizing an electric charge or sprayed utilizing an ionized air stream. Once the powder coat is applied, the entire tumbler is baked for a certain period of time.

As shown in FIG. 7, the clear coat powder coating with the silver based antimicrobial component encapsulates the entire body of the stainless steel vessel including the stainless-steel region 54. In this manner, the entire design 50 and underlying layer 52 which may be a powder coated paint or regular paint is protected by the clear coat powder coating portion 56.

An improvement in the above includes applying a second coat to the powder coat and/or design to facilitate in maintaining the integrity of the powder coat and/or design. Preferably the second coat is a powder coat which is a clear coat. The clear coat layer may be applied using a dipping method, spraying method, or electrostatic application. Once the clear coat layer is applied, the drinking vessel will undergo a second baking environment to cure the clear coat. The application parameters and curing time will depend on the type of design which has been applied to the tumbler body.

In addition to the body of the stainless-steel tumbler having an antimicrobial component, as shown in FIG. 8, an anti-slip bottom 70 is carried by the bottom 72 of stainless vessel E. Preferably, anti-slip bottom 70 is comprised of rubber or other non-slick material infused with an antimicrobial which is silver based such as that provided by BioCote.

FIG. 9 shows the anti-slip bottom 70, stainless vessel E which is coated with the clear coat antimicrobial powder coating and a lid 74. Lid 74 is constructed to enclose the interior of stainless steel vessel E. In the preferred embodiment lid 74 has an opening 78 which communicates with the interior of stainless steel vessel. A moveable slot cover 76 may move from a first position wherein the opening 78 is closed sealing the interior of stainless steel vessel E and a second position wherein the opening 78 is open providing access to the interior. In the preferred embodiment, lid 74 is made from a clear plastic and infused with an antimicrobial which is silver based such as that provided by BioCote. In the preferred embodiment, the clear plastic is also infused with a tint as the antimicrobial has been shown to interact with the clear plastic in a manner which makes the lid appear unappealing. Accordingly lid 74 is tinted with an antimicrobial infusion.

FIG. 10 illustrates a process of manufacturing a preferred embodiment of the invention. At step 800 a drinkware having a first and second sheet of stainless-steel fabricated into a drinkware body having a stainless-steel exterior and a stainless-steel interior is provided. The body has a general length and width with an opening and a closed bottom forming a container. At step 810, the stainless-steel exterior is coated with an initial preliminary design layer. This design layer may be paint, or powder coat with color pigments. At step 820 the preliminary design layer is cured. If the preliminary design layer is a powder coat, the powder coat is applied utilizing an electrostatic charge. Preferably the preliminary design layer does not cover the entire stainless steel body leaving a stainless steel band at either the top or bottom rim of the vessel depending on if the vessel is intended for an adult or child. Once the preliminary design layer is cured, if desired at step 830, a design may be applied utilizing one of the aforementioned methods. At step 840 a clear coat powder coat incorporating a silver based antimicrobial agent is applied to the stainless steel utilizing power coating techniques. At step 850 an anti-slip bottom infused with a silver based antimicrobial agent is carried by the stainless steel vessel. At step 860 a lid infused with a silver based antimicrobial agent is carried by the top of the stainless steel vessel.

For those applications intended for utilization with food contact, the clear coat powder coat incorporating a silver based antimicrobial agent includes an FDA approved component such as an epoxy.

Thus it may be seen that a more advantageous design for a stainless steel drinkware or vessel may be had according to the present invention. By utilizing the characteristics of the stainless steel body, powder coating technology may be utilized which provides for a more secure adhesion of the clear coat powder coat which incorporates a silver based antimicrobial agent onto the surface of the stainless steel body. Furthermore, by incorporating the clear coat, the underlying design which may be an intricate saying, depiction, or color may be left unhindered and appreciated by the user. Hence, the user is treated to an aesthetically appealing drinkware while simultaneously being protected by the antimicrobial agent. The powder coating application ensures that the antimicrobial agent is securely adhered to the outer surface of the drinkware vessel. This construction is unique. 

I claim:
 1. A method of manufacturing a drinkware, said method comprising: providing a drinkware having a first and second sheet of stainless-steel fabricated into a drinkware body having a stainless-steel exterior and a stainless-steel interior; said body having a general length and width with an opening and a closed bottom forming a container; coating said stainless-steel exterior with a first design layer; leaving a stainless-steel band around the circumference of the body devoid of said first design layer and wherein said first design layer coats the entire periphery of the exterior except the area defined by the stainless-steel band; curing the first design layer; applying a clear coat powder coat which comprises a silver based antimicrobial component utilizing powder coating application methodology on the entire stainless-steel exterior including the first design layer and said stainless-steel band; and curing said clear coat powder coat comprising a silver based antimicrobial component.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein said first design layer includes a powder coat applied utilizing powder coat technology.
 3. The process of claim 1 wherein the clear coat powder coat comprises an FDA approved inert agent.
 4. A vessel comprising: a first and second stainless steel component forming a stainless steel drinkware having an interior and an exterior; a first design layer carried by a portion of said exterior leaving a portion of exposed stainless steel exterior forming a stainless steel band around the exterior of said stainless steel drinkware; and a clear coat powder coat comprising a silver based antimicrobial agent carried by the entire exterior of said stainless stee drinkware providing a protective layer for said first design layer and said stainless steel band. 